It is never to soon to start thinking about future jobs and your professional career. You may be about to embark on a one or two year full time program or a period of part-time study while continuing to work. Whatever mode of study you are taking, you are embarking on a period of development and change, which will open new career options and professional opportunities to you.

Get control over your job seeking process and start early. Manage the process don't let the process manage you. Don't wait till the end of your program - start near the beginning.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Start preparing your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). This will be the most important document you will prepare in your search for a job. It’s worth spending some time to get it right. You may wish to change your resume as you follow your program but the basis may well stay the same.

2. Posting your Resume or Curriculum Vitae. Many sites offer the option to post your details in the hope that employers and recruiters will identify your potential. Soon after you have started your program you may wish to use this FREE service to post your resume. This will help you to:

* Become more visible to employers seeking MBAs
* Research employers that target MBAs
* Search out assignments
* Familiarise yourself with the marketplace

3. Think about your competencies and your achievements. Do this regularly, as both you, and the world about you is changing. You might choose to get others to assess you as part of an annual appraisal - or a ‘360 degree’ assessment.

4. Scanning. Keep looking around yourself. Benchmark yourself against people you know and keep in touch with them and meet regularly. Look for opportunities, and let it be known that you welcome them. Don’t set your sights any lower than the people who you consider to be your equals.

5. Familiarise yourself with all information sources. Your potential sources of information include the following:

* The Company Web pages - for the official information.
* Business School Libraries - check the business directories, on-line and CD ROM databases for company information and search the on-line newspapers, business journals and abstract services for references to the organization.
* The Organization - if you are really serious about an organization and need more info after you have done the above - call them and ask for catalogs, annual reports, etc.
* The Alumni of your School - if there is a database or directory you may find some people who do or have worked for the organization. Contact them and ask them questions.

6. Projects and Assignments. If you are required to undertake a major project as part of the program and require a company to provide the assignment, use this as an opportunity to get close to a company that you may subsequently be interested in working for. Through the project work, they will get to know you, and you will get to know them. Look for an appropriate company in the same way that you would look for an employer.

7. Seek support. Get support from those who are well placed to advise or help you. Looking for the careers offices of business schools and MBA graduate associations, such as the MBA Association http://www.mbaassociatin.org.

Republished with permission from The MBA Program Information Site (www.mbainfo.com), a comprehensive source of information on MBA programs.

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